Holding On

 Holding On

James M M Baldwin

 

Unnaturally wide, imploring eyes,

oddly locked, unblinking,

knowing, yet unknowing,

wanting,

pleading eyes.

Saltwater rivers of forgotten origin

roll in tumults

from sullen hollows

in undetermined paths

toward eternal destiny.

Raised brows furrow,

nose stretched low,

upper lip tense

with anxiety-stricken fear,

fear of darkness,

fear of fear,

terror.

Mouth agape,

jagged, picket fence,

a quiver of attempted speech.

No words,

no explanation,

no cry for help.

A grown infant’s silent longing for familiar

but finding only unfamiliar.

Gaunt fingers grasp

a descendant’s hand,

clasped,

squeezing,

unrelenting embrace of awareness.

New York Times v. Sullivan

New York Times v. Sullivan

Presented by James M M Baldwin

Case Facts

Civil Rights movement

1964

New York Times ad

defends Martin Luther King, Jr.

on perjury charges

several

minor

factual

inaccuracies

Public Safety Commissioner

L.B. Sullivan said

criticism of subordinates

reflected on him

he was not mentioned

Sullivan sent written request

to the Times

to publicly retract

as required for public figures

to seek punitive damages

in libel law.

Times refused

claimed puzzled by request

Sullivan filed libel

against Times

and

African American ministers

Who funded ad

jury awarded $500,000

damages

state supreme court affirmed

Times appealed

 

Question

Did libel law

Unconstitutionally infringe

First Amendment’s

Freedom of speech of press protections?

 

Conclusions

To sustain a claim

of defamation

or libel,

First Amendment requires

plaintiff shows

defendant knew

statement was false

or reckless

without investigating

it was accurate.

In unanimous opinion

the Court ruled

for the Times.

When statement concerns

public figure

it’s not enough

to show it’s false

for press to be

liable for libel.

Instead, 

knowledge of

or reckless disregard for

its falsity.

"actual malice"

not meaning

malicious purpose.

In libel law,

“malice” meant knowledge

or gross recklessness

rather than intent,

courts found it difficult

to imagine

someone would

knowingly

disseminate

false information

without bad intent.

 

Anecdote

I have yet to write a renowned novel, record a hit song, star in a movie, pilot a rocket, dine with royalty, win an election to high office, see a ghost, win a lottery, run with the bulls, swim with dolphins, drive a racecar, or speak face to face with God, therefore, my anecdote remains unwritten.

Jim

Verisimilitude

 Verisimillitude

Claiming false Verisimilitude

 and deceptive Truth,

with hollow Credibility

 and fallacious Authenticity,

noting spurious Reliability,

 it is questionably Plausible,

that the inaccurate Likelihood

 of incorrect Perfection,

everything I’ve said

 is Verifiably invalid.

Peace and love all,

Jim

Autumn

Autumn
James M M Baldwin
 
Gold leaves clatter on high perches.
Copper coins drift on cool breezes.
 
Red leaves uncover naked oak branches.
Yellow conceals forgotten summer trails.
 
Squirrels hiding acorns chatter at work.
Canadian geese gather honking flocks.
 
Dust clouds shadow tractors harvesting.
Cinnamon sugar sweetens hot cider.
 
Halloween hauntings scare little children.
Pumpkins carved into spooky jack lanterns.
 
Bountiful meals enjoyed in thanks giving.
Families rejoice in their reunions.
 
Autumn

Peace and love,
Jim

Little Black Box

Little Black Box
James M M Baldwin
 

My little black box wakes me up every morn.
My little black box says which jacket I wore.
 

With my little black box, I can see in the dark.
My little black box tells me just where to go.
 
My little black box takes pictures of dogs.
On my little black box, I can play Angry Birds.
 
My little black box I can add one and one.
My little black box knows all the birthdays.
 
My little black box I can call my old mom.
My little black box keeps in touch with my friends.
 
With my little black box, I don’t need a pen.
My little black box spells everything right.
 
With my little black box, I don’t need a stamp.
My little black box carries all of my books.
 
My little black box plays my favorite songs.
My little black box shows me you tube.
 
On my little black box, I watch tv shows.
My little black box changes the channels.
 
My little black box sends cash for a ride.
My little black box controls my house lights.
 
My little black box shows me all of the news.
My little black box, yeah it knows everything.

My little black box contains the whole world.
My little black box, I freak when it’s lost.

My little black box is my only friend.
My little black box is part of my hand.

*

Do you love or hate your cell phone?

Perhaps it's a love/hate relationship.

Let me know.

Peace,

Jim

Black Elk

Black Elk
Tower of the Four Winds

James M M Baldwin
 
Tree lined pastures rise and crest.
Long white clouds drift unobstructed by blue-eyed-heavens.
Leaves shed sunlit tears across green grass.
Valleys fall to shaded floors deep below.
 
Well-trodden paths meander.
Tiresome climbs.
Leisurely descents.
Bumble bees chase overcurious onlookers from nectar laden blossoms.
 
Bark, gnarly with age, others tender and smooth.
More leaf shapes than most could ever know.
Some reaching high to drink in light.
Others content in their unassuming stature.
 
Multitudinous birdsongs flood clean air nestled between rolling hills.
Numerous flora aromas combine as one bouquet.
Blue jay wings flit unheard through branches.
Unseen insects orchestrate waving grasslands.
 
Sparrows flutter when the man enters their hidden meadow.
Shade welcomes weary travelers.
Smell of green hangs heavy.
Stop, rest, contemplate.

A train whistle blows hidden in the distance.

Peace and love,

Jim

Russian Bots

One of my blogposts from 2013 has been inundated with Russian bot posts. I'm deleting it and republishing the post here.

This weekend is the official launch of "Spencer Murdoch and the Portals of Erzandor." In James M M Baldwin's first full length novel a devoted husband and father risks his family’s security to prevent a powerful doctor from controlling a mystic portal initiating a global storm threatening humanity. Spencer Murdoch unearths a supernatural portal beneath his home and discovers an ancient being guarding a gateway between heaven and hell. Spencer must find the person predestined to enter the portal before the mysterious doctor can use it for his own power.

You can participate in the book launch by getting your copy at the Amazon, paperback and Kindle edition

Don't forget to visit me at Facebook or you can send me an email at jamesmmbaldwinauthor@aol.com

Thanks
Jim

Iron Maiden Senjutsu Somewhere in Time

 

In honor of Iron Maiden’s upcoming album release on September 3, 2021;

A recent article from Loudwire listed the fifty most used words in Iron Maiden songs.

I converted those words into this poem,

Somewhere in Time

 

Know Now is the Time

Just wait let’s See

When last in line

Can Life Take me

 

Again, we Feel

Away Like Man

Down to our souls

Out Live our Death

 

Day Never ends

World never Die

Get out alive

God’s kingdom Come

 

Fear not

A special thanks to the greatest Heavy Metal band in world history;

Iron Maiden

 https://www.ironmaiden.com/

Thanks to Loudwire

Viikon- Loppu- Saturit

See the article here

https://loudwire.com/most-commonly-used-word-iron-maiden-lyrics/

Accompanying the new albulm there are so many cool new Eddies.

Up the Irons!

Jim

#IronMaiden #Stratego #Senjutsu #WritingontheWall

Again I've done it!

Again, I've done it!
I never cease to amaze myself.

My screenplay submission in the Filmmatic Horror Screenplay Awards, TWISTED FATE, which I consider my best work to date, has become my 223^rd rejection. The results email doesn’t give the typical “thank you for submitting, but…” The email says to go check the list on their website to see if you made it. A little like trying out for high school play back in the 70’s when you had to go check the list to see which role you got. (I always got stagehand) Maybe if I had made it, they would’ve sent a congratulatory email. IDK

I did not find my name as grand prize winner. Nor did I find it on the list of ten semifinalists. I searched the list of 300 quarterfinalists, that was not in alphabetical order. To realize that I didn’t qualify in a field that large was kind of a kick in the teeth.

At the risk of jinxing myself, which I’m not sure is a thing considering how that’s worked out so far, my 224^th and 225^th submissions are currently out in the ether.

Thanks again for reading my rant,

Jim

What’s your Horoscope on planet Caidoz?

It’s decided. In 2021 I’m beginning a novel tentatively titled Horrorscope. Its concept is this. Brothers born on opposite sides of conflict on a planet where zodiac caste system determines your position in society.

Caidoz Astrological Signs

When originally conceived, I thought surely I’d need someone to consult in the ways of the Zodiac. However, being the introvert that I am, I decided to create an entirely new world with a different system. On planet Caidoz, the south pole always faces the sun. It wobbles on a perpendicular axis so its rotation is parallel with its sun. On the only southern continent, it’s always day. Its axis wobble, however, gives it some semblance of directional influence on which to base their strict code of astrological oppression.

Caidoz Map

The world building and nomenclature alone has been usurping a good bit of my writing time. As of now, Caidoz is still evolving. You’ll be the first to know what it evolves into.

Jim

Six HEADS One HEART

James M M Baldwin/Sergio de Companion up to no good.

$72,000 Basquiat/SAMO Graffiti

Short on the heels of another Jean-Michel Basquiat painting titled Boy and Dog in a Johnnypump selling for more than 100 million dollars this month, someone purchased one of his collaborative SAMO graffiti pieces for 72,000. 

Basquiat sold this month for 110 million dollars

I was a little confused when I saw one of his paintings sell to a Japanese collector for $110 million a few years back. After research, I found the draw of his story and his work intriguing and gained a new appreciation for his paintings. After viewing one of his works in person at the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, my admiration of his work grew tenfold.

$110,000,000.00 Basquiat

I understand the draw, but once again find myself a little unsettled at the price of the graffiti sale when I look at it. I know, due to the nature of graffiti in general, most works could never be owned or purchased. However...

$72,000.00 SAMO graffitti

 What do you think? I'd love to hear your opinion.
Jim

One Plus One Is One

Eyes held wide open

Yet vision unclear

Lips often tremble

No words reach your ear

Eyes often blinded

By welling of tears

Tongue also vacant

Beholden to fear

Hold me in your heart

Days, a month, or years

After lifetimes pass

You will find me here

Hold me in your arms

Hold tight, draw me near

My hopes and my dreams

You’re all I hold dear

Plenty of Crazy Ideas

After finishing and publishing my poetry anthology, “do ants have souls,” I need new goals. I have plenty of crazy ideas. If I try to work on too many projects at once, I could wallow in a time warp. Here are the major ideas crying out to be heard between all four quadraspheres of my cerebral cortex and cerebellum.

Spencer Murdoch and the Fall From Heaven

Spencer’s chosen-one son reaches school age and is bullied at school while Spencer focuses elsewhere and decides to take control and enter the portal.

C. J. Murdoch beyond the Mystic Portal

Creatures of light visit three-year-old C J Murdoch and transform him into a grown man where enters Erzandor’s portal and discovers heaven’s golden streets.

God Particle

A physicist discovers the God particle and is instantly transported to heaven and learns the truth of God and the universe.

For this I need to read the popular 1993 science book of the same name. As if I didn’t have a large enough stack of books in the to-read pile behind the stack of books in the currently reading pile.

Horrorscope

Brothers born on opposite sides of conflict on a planet where zodiac cast system determines position in society.

War for the Unsouled

God allowed only so many souls when he thought Earth into existence. Now, good and evil battle for the hearts and minds of the unsouled.

Yes. I created a word for this one but it’s okay ‘cause I used it in the title.

Screen play adaptation of Twisted Fate

After the seemingly random discovery of an abandoned barn, a fun-loving young man endangers his friends in a deadly mystery beyond his earthly understanding.

Screen play adaptation of Martholomew

A high school boy and a new girl in town trespass on forbidden ground and discover a supernatural truth to an unearthly local legend.

Violence

An epic poem on gun violence I’ve been working on for a while but need to assemble into some kind of reasonable form.

I could ignore it all and spend my days playing guitar and writing songs. A man can write infinite songs in his head but only so many with his hands.

Or I’ll go with what I decide to love.

Peace and Love
Jim

do ants have souls

After years of work, "do ants have souls” is available now. These 44 poems encompass 40 years exploring the oral arts. Some of the lyrical poems were written for songs performed as a heavy metal band in the 1980s. Others written after love gone wrong, contemplation on the fragility of life, and on life’s many joys and tragedies. The ink drawings were painstakingly completed and the final work is available now in print and e-format. Get all of my books at Amazon here.

So, there you have it. After 40 years writing and two years drawing, I hope you enjoy this collection as much as I enjoyed the lifetime it took putting it together.

Peace and Love

Jim

Twisted Fate

After a 2019 from hell and back and to hell again, I have once again reached a joyous place. Hoping I will not sink into the grasps of the dark place, knowing it could be lurking around any corner. Currently, I cannot feel the emotions I felt when I wrote these two poems. The first was written about a month ago while walking in the dark. The second was written two weeks ago on a particularly tough Wednesday eve. 

Anyway, at the risk of exposing my sole

Twisted Fate

Grief's twisted face rises from swirling black mist below.

"Today you are mine."

A gnarled hand lurches out, pulls me under. 

No escape.

Wounding me deeper deeper inside twisting turning grasping pulling internal organs.

Disrupting neuron telegraphs.

ALABASTER facade hides turmoil within.

Flames rage, destroying hopes and plans, creeping vines of despair fill the dark void.

Loneliness and grief walk hand and hand

Complimenting each other as they stroll searching for their next victim.

Leaving me in torturous solitude.

Laughing at my resistance.

Negativity feeds

Negativity feeds

Feeds on itself

Finding related negatives

Attracting unrelated troubles

Growing

Frustration multiplies

Collecting electric charges

Crackling static lightning ball

victim Surrounded

Tearing the soul

Blackening the heart

But alas. There is hope in despair. Trust me. Happiness can be found.

The title, Twisted Fate, is stolen from a short story available in my Beyond the Visual Cortex collection.

As a bonus two of my books are free and two others are .99 cents from July 13 thru 17.

Jim

Close-Up with First Man to See Black Hole

James M M Baldwin

Long before the Event Horizon worldwide telescope array, each run by teams of scientists, James M M Baldwin, in his short story, COLLIDER, envisioned a world ripped apart by a black hole and reassembled on the other side in a whole new way. Available with eight other science fiction stories in James M M Baldwin's, ORION’S ARM: TALES FROM THE MILKY WAY. Paperback, Kindle, and other formats. You can also stop by Baldwin Gallery, 9625 Ida st. Omaha, NE and pick up a discounted copy today.

These stories transport you from Earth to Venus, to Mars, to Jupiter’s ice moon Europa, to another solar system, and to black holes beyond earthly imaginations. Travel forward and backward in time. Look inward, into the power of the human mind. Stories include Kronos Methodios, Black Wolf, Tortoise Shell Glasses, Son of Thunder, Spontaneous Evolution, Sub-Human, Global Warming, The Collider, and the exclusive Vision of Destruction

Peace

Jim

hatter's riddle

raven contentment
sergio de companion

hatter's riddle

why is a raven like a writing desk
alice gives up
the hatter admits
i haven't the slightest idea
riddle without an answer
poe wrote on both
it can produce a few notes
though very flat
nevar put with the wrong end in front
nevar is raven
merely afterthought
originally invented with no answer
there is a b in both and an n in neither
neither is ever approached without caws
you can baffle the billions with both
there isn't any answer
it slopes with a flap
the notes for which they are noted
are not noted

raven euphoriasergio de companion

for being musical notes
poe's demon bird
nevermore
quoth the raven
nevermore
and the raven
never flitting
still is sitting
still is sitting


thanks to
Lewis Carroll
Sam Loyd
Aldous Huxley
Cyril Pearson
Edgar Allen Poe



The illustrations are experimental Sergio de Companion pieces that will be on display as part of a ravens and doves display this fall at Baldwin Gallery in Omaha. So, keep your eye out for that. While you're there, you can pick up one of my books.

Jim

Tax Day Protest

I think I'll just leave this here as my little tax day protest.

Tax day is gone

Good riddance I say

Another full year

Before we must pay

Honoring Tax Day, Sergio de Companion’s Blood of Man, comment on taxes and the IRS.

Perhaps overshadowed by the decapitated Statue of Liberty, which unintentionally looks indigenous American, is the true metaphor: Taxes collected by the IRS are the American worker’s blood drained to fill a leaky bucket.  The figure portraying Uncle Sam resembles the old man from the Kansas Leftoverture cover. Also unintentional.

Drawn on a 2017 1040EZ